Minister's Column: Godly leadership can usher in an exemplary year

By The Rev. Randy Outland

Published: Friday, December 7, 2012 at 10:22 PM.

In the past couple of years, I have had a deep interest in the east African nation of Uganda. Through the Christian humanitarian organization World Vision, individuals in my church are sponsoring 18 children in Uganda, all from the same area of the country.

Last summer, the African Children’s Choir came through our area. All the children in this choir were from Uganda. It was a privilege to meet the Ugandan children and the two adult chaperons from Uganda.

You can see why my wife and I feel a close connection to the nation of Uganda. So, I was interested in this news item that occurred recently from Uganda.

The Ugandan news site “New Vision” reports President Yoweri Museveni celebrated Uganda’s 50th anniversary of independence from Britain at the National Jubilee Prayers event by publicly repenting of his personal sin and the sins of the nation.

“I stand here today to close the evil past, and especially in the last 50 years of our national leadership history and at the threshold of a new dispensation in the life of this nation. I stand here on my own behalf and on behalf of my predecessors to repent. We ask for your forgiveness,” Museveni prayed.

“We confess these sins, which have greatly hampered our national cohesion and delayed our political, social and economic transformation. We confess sins of idolatry and witchcraft which are rampant in our land. We confess sins of shedding innocent blood, sins of political hypocrisy, dishonesty, intrigue and betrayal,” Museveni said.

“Forgive us of sins of pride, tribalism and sectarianism; sins of laziness, indifference and irresponsibility; sins of corruption and bribery that have eroded our national resources; sins of sexual immorality, drunkenness and debauchery; sins of unforgiveness, bitterness, hatred and revenge; sins of injustice, oppression and exploitation; sins of rebellion, insubordination, strife and conflict,” Museveni prayed.

In the past couple of years, I have had a deep interest in the east African nation of Uganda. Through the Christian humanitarian organization World Vision, individuals in my church are sponsoring 18 children in Uganda, all from the same area of the country.

Last summer, the African Children’s Choir came through our area. All the children in this choir were from Uganda. It was a privilege to meet the Ugandan children and the two adult chaperons from Uganda.

You can see why my wife and I feel a close connection to the nation of Uganda. So, I was interested in this news item that occurred recently from Uganda.

The Ugandan news site “New Vision” reports President Yoweri Museveni celebrated Uganda’s 50th anniversary of independence from Britain at the National Jubilee Prayers event by publicly repenting of his personal sin and the sins of the nation.

“I stand here today to close the evil past, and especially in the last 50 years of our national leadership history and at the threshold of a new dispensation in the life of this nation. I stand here on my own behalf and on behalf of my predecessors to repent. We ask for your forgiveness,” Museveni prayed.

“We confess these sins, which have greatly hampered our national cohesion and delayed our political, social and economic transformation. We confess sins of idolatry and witchcraft which are rampant in our land. We confess sins of shedding innocent blood, sins of political hypocrisy, dishonesty, intrigue and betrayal,” Museveni said.

“Forgive us of sins of pride, tribalism and sectarianism; sins of laziness, indifference and irresponsibility; sins of corruption and bribery that have eroded our national resources; sins of sexual immorality, drunkenness and debauchery; sins of unforgiveness, bitterness, hatred and revenge; sins of injustice, oppression and exploitation; sins of rebellion, insubordination, strife and conflict,” Museveni prayed.

Next, the president dedicated Uganda to God.

“We want to dedicate this nation to you so that you will be our God and guide. We want Uganda to be known as a nation that fears God and as a nation whose foundations are firmly rooted in righteousness and justice to fulfill what the Bible says in Psalm 33:12: ‘Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord. A people you have chosen as your own’,” Museveni prayed.

What an example of Godly leadership. May we during this Advent season also repent and dedicate ourselves to God and help lead our nation to repent and dedicate herself to God as well.

Merry Christmas.

The Rev. Randy Outland is pastor of Spilman Baptist Church. Reach him at droutland@gmail.com.